Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Fruit For Children

I saw a big container in one of our supermarkets in Cape Town with mixed fresh fruit in it.

On the side of the container, there is a note saying that any children under 12 may take some of the fruit for them to eat – it is for free.

I think this is a very clever – and kind – initiative, also because lots of food get wasted worldwide.

810 Reads

Found Some Lovely Christmas Decorations

Found some lovely Christmas balls which open magically just to hide a KIND card and maybe a peace dove. I'm preparing a box full of small gifts for anyone who visits in December to pick and take for them or to give away. 'Kindness is never wasted...'
 

727 Reads

“hope Is The Thing ...

“Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune
Without words
And never stops at all…”

- Emily Dickenson

Inspired by the awareness brought to our attention by brad2 and ladybird’s posts about the card writing campaign of HOPE for the children of Makwa Sahgaiehcan School, who have been marked by a rash of suicides, made a few oversized origami models with a positive theme.

Mailing them today, so the school can receive in time to read and perhaps place on their holiday tree of inspirational messages from around the world.

Here is a link for more info about: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-woman-card-writing-campaign-makwa-sahgaiehcan-1.5376572

Keeping those struggling with mental health issues, especially our dear children and their families, close in prayers and thoughts.

Thank you, my kind friends, for bringing Light to those in need. Shine on!


787 Reads

What A Way To ...

What a way to start my morning. Walked to the beach to Touch The Ocean, while listening to my audiobook and talking to my mom. Then, headed to Sprouts for items for breakfast. On the way out I saw a woman who appeared to be in need. I offered her one of my "homeless bags." She was grateful. I asked how she was doing with socks. She needed some, so I told her I'd get some for her. Ended up buying her socks, gloves and a knit cap. When I came out of the store, there was another woman in need with the first woman. The first woman gave this new woman some of the food I had given her. So, I gave her a bag of her home which she didn't want to accept at first, but turned out she had no food. It had been stolen the night before by other homeless ... Read Full Story >>

718 Reads

Miss Joy

It was approaching Christmas. She was so happy to be involved in the Secret friend gifting in school. She put her heart and soul into it and travelled about 3 hours just to get a special gift. Every day for a week, she left small anonymous gifts wrapped with love. Then the reveal came;  all  the Staff met in the meeting room where all the beautiful gifts were on display. I wondered which one was hers.  I knew she would have been happy with any of them. As was customary, when you received your gift, you then passed on the gift you had bought for your secret friend and said a few special words about them. Somehow, there was confusion, she ended up gifting before she received. She stood filled with excitement and love which is so typical of her. But where was her gift? Where was her secret friend? Confusion? No, sadly, no ... Read Full Story >>

875 Reads

Humanizing The Homeless

Recently I invited a homeless man to have lunch with me at the Soup Plantation so that he could eat as much as he wanted to fill his tummy. I met him over the phone when I was calling Father Benno’s, a soup kitchen. Something within me stirred to invite him to lunch. Since he did not have a car, I offered to pick him up. We had a wonderful four-hour lunch. I learned a lot about his struggles but more importantly, I left lunch feeling a greater gratitude for a roof over my head, warm shower, comfortable bed, and food on the table – all of which we may not think twice about. He, too, enjoyed the connection, his lunch, and a rest from spending his afternoon on the streets. I learned long ago that one person alone cannot solve the homeless epidemic in California or the U.S.; however, each person ... Read Full Story >>

2948 Reads

A Story Of Kindness As A Gift

I began a new practice last year, which I have continued. After many years of being on the receiving end of gifts from my students, especially around this time of the year, I asked my students to forgo giving me anything. Rather than getting me something that I don't need, I asked them to take that money and make a donation to a non-profit and I gave them names of a few that I like to support. There are so many beings whose basic needs are not even met. I have an abundance of all that is important! Or, I asked them to do an act of kindness and write me a card telling me about it. On Monday a student gave me a card and said, "don't worry, there's no gift card in here." She began my telling her her act of kindness. She volunteered at a hospital and told me about ... Read Full Story >>

4424 Reads

A Croissant For A Stranger

I went to a bakery and bought two croissants: One for myself and another for a stranger who would come sometime after me to buy one. At first, the seller did not understand my request; then she smiled and accepted my request. When I was leaving a young lady came in and asked for two croissants. The seller said one was gifted by a previous customer and then pointed toward me. I was by the door on my way out, so I rushed so that the customer could only see my back. It made me feel happy :). ... Read Full Story >>

1084 Reads

Gifting a Much-needed Book

A young hard-working girl works with me, and I see a passion in her eyes.

One particular day during our conversation she shared that she is preparing for a competitive exam and mentioned to me about a particular book which she was unable to afford. She is a working girl and I understood her parents were not allowing her to buy the book.

I immediately asked her to show me the book at Amazon and ordered it for her.She was a little hesitant, but when the book arrived I was very happy and grateful that I could afford a book which will help her in studies.
 

854 Reads

Buttons For Benjamin (update)

365 Small Acts of Kindness in Honor of My Missing Son, Benjamin Morse Archer I'm still keeping my promise to do small acts of kindness for 365 days. I began on February 21st of this year, Ben's birthday. I haven't missed a day. The hardest part I knew would be documenting everything, and I was right. I was getting really overwhelmed and stressed by this.  I didn't want to break my promise, so I compromised. I wouldn't write anything down or post blogs, but I would keep my promise by checking in with myself each night before bedtime. At first, I felt like a complete cop-out.  I had promised to do this publicly.  I was so ashamed, I changed every blog that talked about Buttons for Benjamin into a private admin-view only.  I don't think anyone was judging me though, except for me.  I'll make those blogs public again as I get ... Read Full Story >>

1154 Reads

Life Saved With One Small Act Of Kindness

I had moved to Arizona about two weeks before the start of my junior year of high school, so not only was this  a new school for me, but also a new state and I did not know anyone. On the first day of school at lunch after getting my meal, I sat down at an empty table in the courtyard. As I began to eat I looked around at the other tables and saw another girl sitting alone, so I decided why not go sit with her. Anyway there was no reason for me to have a whole table to myself, and who knew maybe I could make a friend. I walked to verify and said, "Excuse me, do you mind if I sit with you?" She was surprised at first, but then smiled and said "Sure!" We hit it off right off the bat and became close friends throughout the ... Read Full Story >>

2376 Reads

The Dish Ninja!

In my workplace, we share a kitchen/dining area where folks from several different departments gather, store items in the refrigerator, heat up food, prepare coffee and so on.

Now, this shared space also has a history of abandoned dirty dishes that are left in the sink to languish for days. Signs have been posted over the sink over the years in an effort to get people to wash their own dishes, but signs are just that - words on paper.

For the past 3 months, I have been stealthily washing dishes whenever I see them. Not asking questions, not leaving notes. Just washing the dishes that are there. I am a dish ninja, the secret Santa of soap.
Anonymous gifts are the sweetest. Be clean and be well!
 

835 Reads

Caught Ya!

Last week I got caught doving at the bakery I love. For over two years I have been slipping peace doves and other origami and kindness cards in this tip jar. The staff hangs everything up in big streamers from the ceiling. It is almost embarrassing as it shows how often I go there to get treats!

The other day I had left the dove in the tip jar and I hear the barista exclaim, "I got one!!" She looked all around and I was the only one in there, creaming my coffee and no one else had come or gone. "Hah! I caught you! We have wondered for years!!!", she said. I had to laugh and told her how touched I was that they hung them and that I sent people in to see them. She told me people always ask about them.

This bakery is called Sweet Life and they are the sweetest. I am still feeling the deliciousness of that moment.
 

969 Reads

Kindness Book!

I serve in Bridgeport Public Schools to help students who often have challenges in learning and communicating. They also feel uncomfortable in being a part of the school community. These same students have found strategic acts of kindness to be life savers for them! I gathered them together to create a Kindness Learning Community called BCS Squad. The squad set a goal to write and illustrate a book for Kindergarten through second grade on how to be kind. They met their goal in completing the book and they have proudly read it to over eight classes. They also issued a kindness challenge so that the kids could do kindness acts. Kindness is contagious!   ... Read Full Story >>

1041 Reads
  • Posted by kindbroker
  • Dec 16, 2019
  • Comments (6)
  • Share Story

Unexpected friendship

I had participated in the 21-day kindness challenge last summer. During that period, I came across a homeless women who was threatening people as they entered and exited a strip mall. As I approached her, she threatened me too. I asked her what was REALLY going on, and she responded: "I haven't slept in days, I haven't eaten in three, and they are trying to take my kid from me." I told her that the only thing I could do to help her was to buy her lunch and listen to her. It has been a year, and she still comes to my office to check in with me. That initial meeting changed both of our lives for the better! ... Read Full Story >>

1669 Reads

Neighborhood Friendship Dinner

A new couple recently moved on our block. After meeting with them, I learned that the wife loves to knit, so I told her that she’d be welcome to come see if any of my excess yarn might be to her liking. She’s also a book-lover, so she was also invited to come look at my books and take any that might interest her. Another new couple lives in the neighborhood. They are in their twenties and  seem to be full of energy. It turns out that the girl and I have a common interest in topics such as energy fields, thought outmanifesting, Law of Attraction, and more. Hence it made for an interesting sharing. The couple invited a few of us for dinner and the hostess outdid herself in her culinary talents!  All of us let her know how delicious everything was and how we appreciated all her caring, time & ... Read Full Story >>

1088 Reads

Back To School With Joy

Since the schools have started, my children are excited to go to school with new bags, books, clothes and to a new class. As parents, we too are excited for our children. But I thought, what about the  children who barely manage to have two  meals a day. I know such a child whose parents work very hard for those two meals a day. Although government schools provide free education, the school essentials are not taken care of. So, I bought some useful school essentials like a bag, stationery, books, lunch box and water bottle, crayons box for the  boy  I knew. He was very excited to get all the new things because, he had always used  broken and used items since he was born. Happiness is what mattered for me. It brought joy to both of us!   ... Read Full Story >>

988 Reads

Coming Out Of Shell And Being Kind

I wanted to share this amazing incident with everyone. I was at the Bangalore airport waiting for my flight to go home. I went to get dinner at a restaurant in the airport. Although I was not very hungry, I knew I could eat a little something. So, I ordered a rice dish called Bisi Bele Bhaat - a south Indian preparation of rice and lentils with vegetables, tamarind and spices. I ate a few spoonfuls. On the table next to mine, two couples were seated. I overheard their conversation and knew that they were hungry and were waiting for food. I wanted to ask them if they wanted to share my food with me. I was too shy. But I gathered the courage and asked them anyway. They were actually very happy and without any hesitation one of them said Yes!. It was not a lot but they could start eating. The ... Read Full Story >>

1124 Reads
  • Posted by payalkhatwani
  • Dec 12, 2019
  • Comments (6)
  • Share Story

Coffee & Kindness - Fill Your Cup With Both

Today I did something I have always wanted to do! I asked the guy at Starbucks how much the person's order was behind me and paid for it and told him to tell whoever it was to have a nice day.

Maybe this is weird, but on some level I hope they just took the gifted drink instead of paying for the person behind them. Learn to accept kindness (and free coffee) when it comes your way!!  Although, there's nothing wrong with paying it forward, I suppose. 
 

886 Reads

Peace Journey In India From Kanpur To Varanasi

We organized a journey for Peace from Kanpur to Varanasi to spread the message of Peace and Love. It started with a meeting at the mini library in Kanpur, where we discussed the details of the journey and the program to follow.

The boys sang a couple of Peace songs. We then started our journey. During the journey, we stopped at several places to talk about peace, friendship, kindness and love. We also distributed peace cards, peace doves, quote cards and peace pamphlets.

It was nice to meet people with different thoughts and behavior. Many people appreciated our work and promised to forward our message to other people. We were also refused by some people. Overall, it was a joyful experience that we will remember for the rest of our life. I am thankful to all the volunteers and people who supported us.

Hope that one day peace will Prevail on the Earth !!
 

794 Reads




Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0